Rory McIlroy has warned LIV Golf players considering a return to the PGA TOUR that they face a “tough, tough road back” as uncertainty continues surrounding the breakaway circuit.
The Northern Irishman’s comments come at a pivotal moment for LIV Golf, with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) set to withdraw its financial backing beyond the 2026 season.
The cancellation of the season-ending Team Championship in Michigan has added further uncertainty over the league’s future despite LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil revealing earlier this month that a lead investor had “signed a term sheet approved by our board” that will support the league going forward beyond 2026.
Big name players including Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Tyrrell Hatton face important decisions over their careers, while McIlroy has made clear that any return to the PGA TOUR is unlikely to be straightforward.
Over the years, the Grand Slam winner has long been one of LIV Golf’s most outspoken critics, although he admitted that he had been “too judgemental” toward players who joined the breakaway circuit after initially viewing the situation solely from his own perspective.
However, his stance on LIV itself has remained unchanged.
“I think I feel like I’ve kept my position consistent that LIV has never been a good thing for the game,” McIlroy said. “Whatever 2.0 looks like, if it even happens, they say they’re trying to be more collaborative and all that.”
“This [PGA Tour] is the best platform for the top professional golfers in the world. Were there some things at the start of LIV that the PGA Tour could have done better? Sure.
“You think back to the start with say, Phil [Mickelson] unhappy with some stuff or whatever it was. Surely that just warranted a conversation instead of blowing the entire professional game up and doing something else?
“I don’t take any personal satisfaction of people losing jobs – that doesn’t seem right. I’ve always felt like this is the best place to play professional golf. I’m pretty sure if the PGA Tour were handed $6bn it would have done a better job with it.”
When asked what value LIV players could bring to the PGA TOUR, the four-time major champion was equally direct.
“I would argue, have they brought value to LIV? You know? I think the PGA TOUR’s in a really good spot,” he said. “Eventually they will [be welcomed back]. I’m not part of these discussions but I’m pretty sure they’re not going to be welcomed back straight away.
“If they were offered this returning member program back in February, the one that Brooks [Koepka] took, then yeah, maybe, but that has come and gone.
“I think it was said at the time that the deal that they might get going forward, if they do decide to come back, isn’t going to be as good as the one that Brooks got. I would say it’s going to be a tough road back.”